Sharjah24 : The Mayor of Thessaloniki’s Office, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Book Fair Organising Committee, hosted an official reception at the Municipal Art Gallery, celebrating Sharjah as the first Arab Guest of Honour at the fair.

The celebration was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic; His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority; His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; representatives from UAE and Greek cultural, intellectual, creative, and media institutions, in addition to writers and publishers participating in the Sharjah pavilion. The reception also provided a platform for discussions on potential collaborations and partnerships between the Sharjah delegation and their Greek counterparts.

In his keynote speech, His Excellency Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri lauded Sharjah's efforts and the image it portrayed, highlighting Emirati and Arab cultures. He stressed that the bonds between the UAE and Greece are historic and deeply rooted, evident in many fields, including culture, trade and economics. He also pointed out the extent of the Greek celebrations of Sharjah and its cultural project that translates the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sharjah’s status as a cultural gateway 
His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, noted that the emirate's participation at the fair aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which asserts the significance of cultural dialogue, building global relationships, to cement Sharjah's status as a cultural gateway for Emirati, Arab, and Islamic heritage.

Al Ameri commended Thessaloniki for its warm reception of the Sharjah delegation, emphasising that this event marks a step towards deeper cooperation and joint efforts between UAE and Greece. He underscored the undeniable role that cultural and artistic initiatives play in creating mutual understanding and communication among diverse cultures and civilisations.

Jackis Vassilis, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism, representing the Mayor of Thessaloniki, extended a warm welcome to the Sharjah delegation. “We are pleased to host you in our city, the capital of the Central Macedonia region of Greece, and we are delighted with your participation. It opens new avenues for developing relations with Sharjah, which we consider the cultural capital of the UAE and the Arab world.”

The reception also featured a tour of the Municipal Art Gallery, where the Sharjah delegation was introduced to its esteemed collections. The gallery boasts over 1,000 artworks, including the Thessaloniki Artists Collection, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine works spanning six centuries, and a notable Modern Greek Art collection.